Competence, Presence, Trust, and Hyperpersonal-ness: Dissolving the Boundary between Digital and Physical Life

This book explores the importance of communication technology in developing social competence that transcends digital and physical modes of communication, leading to increased trust and social learning. It is particularly useful for scholars of media studies, digital media, and communication.

Format: Hardback
Length: 140 pages
Publication date: 28 January 2022
Publisher: Lexington Books

As the U.S. population continues to grapple with growing isolation and diminished trust, this book delves into the critical significance of communication technology that empowers users to develop socially adept skills that transcend both digital and physical modes of interaction. By portraying computer-based environments as realistic and intimate, Bouchillon suggests that we can translate networked social capabilities into interpersonal competence, ultimately fostering higher levels of trust.

Bouchillon proposes that this approach serves as a means to promote diverse social engagement within local communities, leveraging technology to facilitate social learning. For instance, during the COVID-19 pandemic, individuals who were socially distanced found themselves working harder to replicate their interpersonal connections through technology, resulting in heightened feelings of capability and trust that benefit both competence and social capital.

This book holds immense value for scholars specializing in media studies, digital media, and communication, offering valuable insights into the evolving landscape of interpersonal communication and its impact on society.

Weight: 404g
Dimension: 230 x 160 x 15 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781793622136